Stephen Leslie Hiseman

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

The Respondent, an unadmitted person employed/remunerated by CK Solicitors (intervened 25 May 2011), faced allegations relating to two clients. He received £75,000 from Miss L (purportedly loans to a couple in France secured against property) paid into his personal account and never repaid, despite a promissory note and various implausible repayment explanations. He also acted for the vulnerable client Mr S, telling him a debt creditor had agreed settlement at £15,000 when it was in fact settled for £10,000, taking £5,000 more into his personal account which he improperly retained. The Tribunal, proceeding in the Respondent's absence after substituted service, found all three breaches proved beyond reasonable doubt and made an express finding of dishonesty under the Twinsectra test for misappropriating clients' money. As he was unadmitted, the only available sanction was a Section 43 Order; costs of £12,972.25 were ordered.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Took advantage of a vulnerable client (Mr S)
• Misappropriated clients' money into his personal bank account
• Attempted to attach a 'cloak of legitimacy' to his actions which the Tribunal found worthless
• Gave implausible/false explanations and reassurances to clients
• Failed to engage with proceedings or provide any explanation, leading to an adverse inference